Adventures in PubMed & Some More Puzzle Pieces

 Lately I have been reading a lot about Blastocysis Hominis. If my test isn't positive again for that little f***er, then I am honestly going to be disappointed.

Here is what I have learned about this protozoa from PubMed: 

"Guinea pigs and mice (poor, poor creatures) have both been subjected to Blastocystis infections to see what would happen. Basically, some didn't get sick, while others lost weight, were lethargic, and had lots of intestinal inflammation."

"Blastocystis hominis was frequently demonstrated in the stool samples of IBS patients." From "Irritable bowel syndrome: in search of an etiology: role of Blastocystis hominis."
 

IBS is Associated with Blastocystis.

There is an "Incidence of Blastocystis hominis in patients with diarrhoea."


For every study I read that said that Blasto was 'bad' for you, another study suggested that it didn't do any harm at all. I think my takeaway is that it can do harm, especially if you're immuno-compromised (like, after having a c-section and moving etc. etc.).

I also learned this, from a simple Discussion Board:

"Dietary treatments for Blastocystis hominis: 

Some say Blastocystis hominis feeds off carbohydrates, particularly grains, so cutting out carbs and consuming a high protein diet is useful.

Saccharomyces boulardii, a probiotic yeast, can be useful. This is because Blastocystis hominis is immunosuppressive: Blasto lowers the levels of secretory IgA antibodies (sIgA) in your gut mucous membranes. Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic is known to raise sIgA."

The reason this is so interesting to me is because while I was taking Flagyl when I tried to kill Blasto the first time around, the Infectious Disease doc suggested I take something called Florastor, a probiotic that is actually a yeast. (Who KNEW there were GOOD yeasts? I still don't understand that.) Anyway, for those of you who are keeping up, after the Flagyl treatment, I didn't have the Big D.


Interesting, because either the Flagyl killed some Blasto....or the Florastor helped keep them in check.

A study talked about here says that "Metronidazole [Flagyl] or S. boulardii has potential beneficial effects in B. hominis infection (symptoms, presence of parasites). These findings challenge the actual guidelines."

This blogger says that probiotics will only make Blasto stronger because it eats good an bad bacteria! But that this yeasty thing (S. Boulardii) might help with symptoms. Hmmm.


This whole site is pretty interesting: http://blastocystis.wordpress.com/2011/02/. We who are infected lead pretty one-track lives! I don't want a stupid protozoa to keep me from feeling well enough to go out and DO THINGS. That said, I hope it is a stupid protozoa and perhaps I will be blessed with relief from many inflammatory processes, like arthritis. :D